Rector's Letter

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		The Rector's Letter

November 2009

The Rector writes:

Dear Friends,

On our way back from an afternoon at Arromanches, one of the landing places for troops on D-Day, we came across a ceremony at a war memorial in Dozulé. Having been ushered past by local gendarmes, we decided to return and take part from a distance. It was a dignified and memorable scene. The flags of France, Belgium and the United Kingdom fluttered in the breeze. Veterans stood upright, listening to the speech from the local mayor. Following a salute, the band played a marching tune. Everyone peeled away to form up for the parade through the town. It was 21st August, the 65th anniversary of the liberation of Normandy.

As I watched, with graphic photographs of the fighting around the beaches and horrifying statistics at the forefront of my mind, I felt deeply moved by this simple act of remembrance and gratitude. Besides a certain pride in being associated by birth with the courage of the British soldiers, there was a special poignancy in standing on the land where the battles had raged. Profoundly aware of the dogged determination and fortitude of those who fought, and the sacrifice of those who died, and their families, I was inspired. Furthermore, from this perspective, our own struggles, whilst not diminished, can be seen as less daunting.

On Remembrance Sunday, like those who gathered around the local war memorial on that warm summer’s evening in France, many of us will assemble in town and in church, to honour the memory of those who have died fighting for our own nation, and its ideals. In calling to mind those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, we are reminded of the value of the virtues of courage, duty and service. Faced with the cost of war, our quest to work for a more just and peaceful world is renewed.
Likewise, recalling particular individuals is a feature of our keeping of All Souls’ Day. The service at 4.00p.m. on Sunday 1st November gives an opportunity to recollect the name and the face of someone we have loved who has died. By giving space for memories to surface, we reconnect with our sense of loss. Yet this grief can be bitter sweet. Our mourning reminds us of what we once had. Then our tears are tinged with thankfulness.

All Saints’ Day will be celebrated that same Sunday, in the morning. Along with rejoicing in the fellowship we have with those great people of faith whose stories we read in the Bible and in books, we commemorate those individuals who have helped us in our journey of faith who are now with God forever.

Focussing on the vast communion of saints, we are prompted to consider again our destiny in Christ. In Revelation, the last book of the Bible, we are reminded that we are made to enjoy and worship God. In his vision, the writer sees multitudes, angels and people of every tribe, language and nation, congregated around the one seated on the throne and the Lamb, singing in full voice.
As we learn from the past, and find encouragement in the example of others, our gaze shifts to the future. Knowing that God’s Kingdom is coming gives us confidence to strive and work for God’s will be done on earth. This unshakeable hope is sustained and strengthened in our services Sunday by Sunday. With worship as humanity’s eternal vocation, we are called to invite others to come with us to echo heaven’s “Amen” to the everlasting songs of praise, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honour and glory and blessing.”

With love

David Tomlinson

October 2009 letter

August/September 2009 letter

July 2009 letter

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